title: Development of a vaginal ring for achieving physiologic levels of 17 beta-estradiol in hypoestrogenic women.
abstract: The ability of polysiloxane vaginal rings containing 17 beta-Estradiol (E2) to deliver E2 into the systemic circulation at a steady rate over long periods of time was evaluated in castrate and postmenopausal volunteers. Standard laminar designs, used to release contraceptive gestagens, deliver low levels of E2 (about 50 pg/ml) and only for 1 month. With a modified design, E2 levels of 109 to 159 pg/ml were maintained for at least 3 months, and circulating gonadotropins were suppressed to values approaching the premenopausal range. This homogeneous design provides for physiologic replacement of E2 as well as a practical research tool for studying chronic effects of E2 in human subjects.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002369:Castration; D004343:Drug Implants; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D012833:Siloxanes; D014621:Vagina
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D004967:Estrogens; D012833:Siloxanes; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone